Photo: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0San Juan Capistrano’s public schools outscore 88% of California districts
On the state math tests, 57% of San Juan Capistrano’s students scored proficient, above the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving San Juan Capistrano, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
San Juan Capistrano’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 421 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of San Juan Capistrano’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,395 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Marco Forster Middle, then San Juan Hills High. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Opportunities for Learning - Capistrano, OCASA College Prep, California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano, Jserra Catholic High School (private), St. Margaret S Episcopal School (private), Fairmont San Juan Capistrano (private), Stoneybrooke Christian School (private), Mission Basilica School (private) and The Johnson Academy (private) are in town. California Online Public Schools Southern California, California Online Public Schools Central Coast, Capistrano Home/Virtual and California Preparatory Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind San Juan Capistrano’s grade
A: better than 88% of California school districts, #86 of 847 California towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the California average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve San Juan Capistrano, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in San Juan Capistrano
Marco Forster Middle
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in San Juan Capistrano
Marco Forster Middle
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in San Juan Capistrano
Marco Forster Middle
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,641 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,641 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,641 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Hills High
Grades 9–12 · 2,641 students · 23:1 students per teacher
San Juan Capistrano’s public schools are run by Capistrano Unified School District, which also serves Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
San Juan Capistrano vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share San Juan Capistrano’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan Capistrano | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Laguna Niguel | A | Capistrano Unified |
| San Clemente | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Dana Point | A | Capistrano Unified |
| Mission Viejo | A | Capistrano Unified K–12 · Saddleback Valley Unified K–12 |
All 4 neighbors share Capistrano Unified with San Juan Capistrano, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in San Juan Capistrano
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (College and Career Advantage and Bridges Community Day).
Questions about San Juan Capistrano’s schools
Are San Juan Capistrano’s schools good?
By California’s own tests, yes: the public schools San Juan Capistrano children attend outscore 88% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #86 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is San Juan Capistrano in?
Capistrano Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 40,251 students in 58 schools (2024–25).
Where do San Juan Capistrano kids go to high school?
San Juan Hills High, with 2,641 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is San Juan Capistrano’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Capistrano Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does San Juan Capistrano spend per student?
$17,395 in Capistrano Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in San Juan Capistrano?
Yes: Jserra Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,317 students), St. Margaret S Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–12, 1,242 students), Fairmont San Juan Capistrano (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 635 students), Stoneybrooke Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 528 students), Mission Basilica School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 303 students) and The Johnson Academy (special education, grades 2–8, 57 students). San Juan Capistrano also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What San Juan Capistrano families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near San Juan Capistrano → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.